Grade 5 · Social Studies · Unit 7 of 7
Be an Informed Citizen
Sources, evidence and good questions
What your child practises
How archaeologists and historians use evidence, telling primary from secondary sources, fact from opinion, spotting bias, and why informed citizens check facts before they vote or act.
Alberta Curriculum learning outcome: informed citizenship · primary and secondary sources, fact and opinion, bias, and taking part as a citizen
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Which is a fact?
- Roman food was tasty.
- Rome was the best empire.
- Rome had an aqueduct that carried water to the city.
- Everyone should love Rome.
Show answer
Rome had an aqueduct that carried water to the city.
Hint: A fact can be checked. An opinion says what someone thinks.
Question 2
In Athens, citizens could speak at the assembly. What is one way citizens take part in Canada today?
🗳️- serving as a Roman senator
- building a pyramid
- paying tribute to a pharaoh
- voting in elections
Show answer
voting in elections
Hint: In Canada, adult citizens can vote in municipal, provincial and federal elections.
Question 3
What is a secondary source?
- something written later about the past, like a textbook
- a coin from the time
- a clay tablet from long ago
- a tomb painting
Show answer
something written later about the past, like a textbook
Hint: A secondary source explains events using other sources.
Question 4
What does bias mean?
- being very tall
- a kind of map
- an old coin
- leaning toward one side without being fair to others
Show answer
leaning toward one side without being fair to others
Hint: A biased source may leave out other points of view.
Question 5
A website says, 'Everyone knows Rome was perfect.' What should you do?
- Ignore all websites
- Copy it into your project
- Believe it
- Check other sources and look for evidence
Show answer
Check other sources and look for evidence
Hint: 'Everyone knows' is a clue that opinion may be mixed with fact.
Question 6
Two historians disagree about why an empire fell. What does this show?
- People can read the same evidence and reach different conclusions
- There was no empire
- History is made up
- One is always lying
Show answer
People can read the same evidence and reach different conclusions
Hint: Weighing the evidence is part of thinking like a historian.